High Gradient Accelerator Cavities Using Atomic Layer Deposition

The length of high energy accelerators is determined by the magnitude of the RF electric field that can be supported in the cavities without breakdown. The accelerator length directly impacts the size and cost. Efforts are continuing around the world to understand the physics of RF breakdown and develop new techniques and materials for increasing the electric fields that accelerator cavities can support. Calabazas Creek Research Inc. is proposing to use Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to further understand how materials impact electric field breakdown and develop improved accelerator cavities. The program will apply custom designed coatings on test cavities to analyze RF breakdown and defect and material migration. Once the underlying physics is better understood, CCR will use ALD to fabricated RF cavities that can support higher electric fields. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Improved RF cavities will be applicable to many future accelerator and collider systems. This includes the Compact Linear Collider and the International Linear Collider, where many thousands of cavities will be required. It will also allow length reduction in industrial and medical accelerators, reducing system costs.